H. Pylori

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is a gram-negative bacterium that causes chronic inflammation in the stomach and duodenum, which can develop into gastric ulcer disease and gastric cancer. Infection with H. pylori is the strongest known risk factor for gastric cancer, which is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. It is estimated that up to 50% of the world’s population is infected with H. pylori but are asymptomatic. Diagnosis is by a urea breath test, molecular detection, or rapid antigen stool assays.